Notice of Application for State Water Quality Certification, Hothlam Inlet

Notice of Application
for State Water Quality CertificationPublic Notice (PN) Date: November 12, 2020       PN Reference Number: POA-2020-00461
PN Expiration Date: December 3, 2020          Waterway: Hotham Inlet
Any applicant for a federal license or permit to conduct an activity that might result in a discharge into navigable waters, in accordance with Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1977 (PL95-217), also must apply for and obtain certification from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation that the discharge will comply with the CWA, the Alaska Water Quality Standards, and other applicable State laws. Notice is hereby given that a request for a CWA §401 Water Quality Certification of a Department of the Army Permit application, Corps of Engineers’ Reference Number POA-2020-00461, Hotham Inlet, has been received for the discharge of dredged and/or fill materials into waters of the United States (WOUS), including wetlands, as described below and

shown on the enclosed project figures/drawings. The documents are also accessible from the DEC website at
http://dec.alaska.gov/water/wastewater/. Applicant: Mr. William G. Azar, 4530 Montrose Circle, Anchorage, Alaska 99502, 907-297-9212,
jungazar@aol.com; Agent: Ms. Maria Lewis, ML&P Associates, LLC, 721 Depot Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99501, 907-885-0271,
maria@mlpassociates.com Project Name: Hotham Inlet Azar Sand and Gravel Extraction Nimiuk Point Lot 2B Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 24 & 25, T. 16 N., R. 16 W., Keteel Meridian; Latitude 66.7653° N., Longitude -162.0154° W.; near Kotzebue, Alaska.Purpose: The applicant’s stated purpose is to develop a gravel pit in order to supply material for the Cape Blossom Road project as well as other public and private projects throughout the Kotzebue area. Project Description: The proposed work would develop a five-cell gravel pit by mechanically land clearing up to 34 acres of Palustrine wetlands for the purpose of extracting 500,000 cubic yards of material, which would be used for the development of Cape Blossom and miscellaneous projects around Kotzebue. Additionally, the applicant proposes to construct a 100’ x 30’ access road in 0.07 acre of Palustrine wetlands to the edge of Hotham Inlet for loading the material onto barges, this along with the mechanized land clearing, would have a total impact to 34.07 acres of Palustrine wetlands. The first year would include the mechanized land clearing of the first cell, with all overburden being stored on-site within the first cell area to be used for reclamation purposes. The gravel pit would be developed within five different approximately seven-acre cells; each cell is proposed for development from May through September in consecutive years (2021 – 2025). Previous cells would be reclaimed when the materials have been depleted from the cell. All materials would be stockpiled on-site within the cell in development until the material could be loaded onto a barge for delivery to Kotzebue.After reviewing the application, the Department may certify there is reasonable assurance the activity, and any discharge that might result, will comply with the CWA, the Alaska Water Quality Standards, and other applicable State laws. The Department also may deny or waive certification.Any person desiring to comment on the project with respect to Water Quality Certification, may submit written comments to the address above or via email to
dec-401cert@alaska.gov by the Public Notice
expiration date. All comments should include the
PN reference number listed above
in the subject heading of the email. Mailed comments must be postmarked on or before the expiration date of the public notice. The permit application and associated documents are available for review. For inquires or to request copies of the documents, contact
dec-401cert@alaska.gov, or call 907-269-6285. Disability Reasonable Accommodation NoticeThe State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you are a person with a disability who may need special accommodation in order to participate in this public process, please contact DEC Human Resources Office at 907-465-6171 or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 within 5 days of the expiration date of this public notice to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.